BEARING

A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can handle. Rolling element bearings fall into two main classifications: ball bearings and roller bearings.

Purpose of Bearings. Bearings reduce friction. This is done either by; o o o using hard smooth balls or rollers, smooth inner and outer surface for the balls to roll against or, by introducing a low friction surface between the surfaces.

These balls or rollers bear any loads which they may be subjected to thus allowing the bearing to rotate smoothly.

Maintenance Many bearings require periodic maintenance to prevent premature failure, although some such as fluid or magnetic bearings may require little maintenance. Most bearings in high cycle operations need periodic lubrication and cleaning, and may require adjustment to minimize the effects of wear. Bearing life is often much better

when the bearing is kept clean and well-lubricated. However, many applications make good maintenance difficult. For example bearings in the conveyor of a rock crusher are exposed continually to hard abrasive particles. Cleaning is of little use because cleaning is expensive, yet the bearing is contaminated again as soon as the conveyor resumes operation. Thus, a good maintenance program might lubricate the bearings frequently but never clean them.

Ball bearing.

Roller bearing.

SPRING
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication. Some nonferrous metals are also used including phosphor bronze and titanium for parts requiring corrosion resistance and beryllium copper for springs carrying electrical current (because of its low electrical resistance).

Purpose of Springs. The characteristic feature of a spring is its ability to elastically deform under the action of external forces and to return the work received by means of back springs.

Maintenance. Do not stretch or compress the springs beyond their elastic limit.

Helical tension springs.

CHAIN
A chain is a series of connected links which are typically made of metal. A chain may consist of two or more links. Chains are usually made in one of two styles, according to their intended use:

Those designed for lifting, such as when used with a hoist; for pulling; or for securing, such as with a bicycle lock, have links that are torus shaped, which makes the chain flexible in two dimensions (The fixed third dimension being a chain's length.)

Those designed for transferring power in machines have links designed to mesh with the teeth of the sprockets of the machine, and are flexible in only one dimension. They are known as Roller chains, though there are also non-roller chains such as block chain.

Purpose of Chain.

To provide a strong and positive drive in the control system to change the direction of control run where considerable force is exerted.

Maintenance.

First, and most importantly, the rivets need to be lubricated where they move inside the inner links as the chain bends and straightens.

Second, the insides of the rollers need lubrication to let them revolve freely around the bushings as they engage and disengage the sprocket teeth. If the rollers don't roll, they slide along the sprocket teeth, causing accelerated sprocket wear.

Third, the surface where the outer side plates overlap the inner side plates can benefit from lubrication as well, although this contact surface is much more lightly loaded than the first two.

Sea Harrier FA.2 ZA195 front (cold) vector thrust nozzle - the nozzle is rotated by a chain drive from an air motor.

TRANSMISSION
A gear or more correctly a "gear wheel" is a rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part in order to transmit torque. Two or more gears working in tandem are called a transmission and can produce a mechanical advantage through a gear ratio and thus may be considered a simple machine. Geared devices can change the speed, torque, and direction of a power source. The most common situation is for a gear to mesh with another gear; however a gear can also mesh a non-rotating toothed part, called a rack, thereby producing translation instead of rotation.

Purpose of Gear. Gear are used in pair or in combination to transmit motion, change in direction of motion, change direction of motion, increase or decrease speed and transmit power from one part of a machine to another part.

Maintenance. Gears should be regularly monitored and analyzed. They should be lubricated well with the gear oil.

Applying grease to it can also protect them. Oils and grease protects them from rust and corrosion.

They also give them chemical and thermal stability, thus enhancing the life of a gear. There should be a visual check of all the internal parts of the gearbox.

This gives a versatile report on the condition of the internal parts and on the need for repairs or spare parts. Accordingly, the parts should be replaced if damaged.

Internal gear.

Bevel gear.

References.

http://en.wikipedia.org www.gears-manufacturers.com/gear-maintenance.html sheldonbrown.com/chains.html